Ohio to hold human trafficking awareness day event

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio leaders are pointing to a new state law as a sign of progress made in the fight against human trafficking.

Victims of human trafficking often are forced into the sex trade or pushed to work against their will in sweatshop-type jobs.

The crime is the focus of an awareness event planned Friday at the Statehouse. Gov. John Kasich is among the scheduled speakers.

Part of the event is aimed at helping social workers and attorneys learn about implementing the state's new law. The measure increases penalties for human trafficking and creates a fund to help victims. Participants also will hear from human trafficking survivors.

Ohio's attorney general said in a report Thursday that despite improvement, there's still work to do in increasing Ohio's legislative response to human trafficking.